?Embattled Independent senator Michael Annisette says he will not bow to pressure and resign as an Independent senator. He indicated this yesterday, after a recent meeting with President George Maxwell Richards.
Annisette is one of nine senators appointed in the discretion of the President. He was summoned to a meeting with Richards after several public calls for him to resign from the Upper House because of his stance in support of the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) in last week's debate on legislation to validate the work of the suspended Uff Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector. Annisette, a Udecott director and president of the National Trade Union Centre of T&T (Natuc), was very critical of those who were demanding the dismissal of Udecott's executive chairman Calder Hart and entire board over its move to have the commission stopped. Udecott had filed for judicial review proceedings in the High Court with a view to terminating the commission of enquiry.
Annisette said Udecott, like any other citizen, had a legal right to take its concerns about unfair treatment by commissioners to court for determination. Contacted for comment via telephone in Argentina yesterday, Annisette said he was not about to resign because he has done nothing wrong.
He said he would not be muzzled. Annisette said democracy was speaking out in support of the minority against the majority. He said there will always be "some people who will agree with me and others who would not." Asked about a reported meeting between Richards and himself, Annisette said, "That was a matter for the President to speak about." He said because of protocol, he could not say if such a meeting, in fact, took place. He said it was a matter for the president to address. He said: "Michael Annisette will always be my own man. Michael Annisette will always speak in defence of what is right. Michael Annisette has done no wrong. Michael Annisette is maintaining his position."
Annisette said when he reflected on the issue he could see no valid reason to step down as a senator. He said he was a board director before he was appointed a senator. He said that was no secret. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Wade Mark said yesterday that Annisette did not have the moral authority to sit as an Independent senator. Mark said Section 42 of the Constitution disqualifies Annisette from being appointed a senator. He said, however, that Annisette was able to become a senator because the required regulations to ensure the law was upheld had not been brought to Parliament and passed. Section 42 (2) says in part: "Parliament may provide that, subject to such exceptions and limitations, if any, as may be prescribed, a person shall be disqualified for membership of the Senate by virtue–(a) his holding or acting in any office or appointment, either individually or by reference to a class of office or appointment." Mark said he had concerns about Annisette's appointment from the inception. He said the Annisette's role in the Senate should have been only to deal with labour related matters. (RL)